title: The optimal dose of nicardipine for enhancement of indirect portography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal dose of nicardipine (NCR) for enhancement of indirect portography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight patients underwent conventional film indirect portography via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first without and then with preinjection of 1/64-2 mg of NCR into the SMA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NCR (1/8-2 mg) shortened the arterial phase to 50% and the portal appearance time to 60% of control without reflux of contrast medium into the aorta. Portal enhancement was excellent at doses of 1/32 mg or more. Blood pressures and pulse rate showed no significant change at 1/4 mg or less.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NCR (1/8-1/4 mg) into the SMA is the optimal dose for achieving sufficient contrast enhancement on indirect portography while reducing the transit time of contrast medium and minimizing effects on the systemic circulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Minoo City Hospital, 5-7-1 Kayano, Minoo, Osaka 562, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akaji
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011172:Portography / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009529:Nicardipine